Valve-operating mechanism.



PATENTED MAY 12, 1908.

W. B. JACKSON.

VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED 0016,1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Mill/6.956s:

No. 887,253. PATENTED MAY 12, 1908. W. B. JACKSON.

VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED 0OT.6,1905.

s SHEETSSHIEET 2.

Witnesses: I Inventor %:Zflm Jackson (BL/4w 1M flame No. 887,253.PATENTED MAY 12, 1908.

- W. B. JACKSON.

VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 00'1.6 ,1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Wtlinessemlflvehf'or' a M B] Wv'm' 'm th3077 ful Improvement inValve-Operatin' Mech-- UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

WILLIAM B. JAGKSON, OF MADISON, WISCONSIN ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND DUGALDC.

JAOKSON',-OF MADISON, WISCONSIN, A COPARTNERSHIP.

VALVE-OPERATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 6, 1905. Serial No. 281,615.

To all whom it may concern:

Be a known that 1, WILLIAM B. JACKSON,

anism, of which the following is a fu ,clear, concise, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification.

My invention relates to valve operating mechanism, particularly toelectrical operating mechanism for controlling the opening and closureof large valves controlling water flow through pipes or penstocks.

The pressure of the water through the pipes and enstocks is sometimesvery great and consi erable power is necessary to start the valve gatesfrom a state of rest. Great precaution must also be exercised in openingand closing valves to prevent water hammer. When the valve gate 1s to beopened from its closed position it must be moved very slowly at first toallow the water to escape gradually and to prevent destructive currentsor water hammer. When the valve has been sufficiently opened and thewater has assumed a more natural flow the motion of the valve may beaccelerated. Upon closure of the valve the motion of the gate should berather slow at the start or destructive results will f this is not donethe sudden interruption of.

the water flow will .cause water hammer.

In my invention I obtain thisrequired control of the valve b means ofelectrical .controlling apparatus or an electric motor which is. indriving relation with the valve gate and the circuits of which apparatusand motor may be controlled by a single switch actuated by the operator.The switch serves merely to control the current flow to the apparatusand motor and to change the direction of rotation of the motor, thecontrolling apparatus for the motor being entirely automatic in itsoperation. The valve then with its controlling apparatus may be at anydistance from the controlling switch and the valve tons 2222 will beefliciently operated without continual attendance. The controllingapparatus is so arranged that the motor is automatically constrained tostart with great power and to accelerate slowly and to be automaticallysto ped at the end of motion of the valve, an particularly to cause thefinal closure of the valve to be made at very slow speed and with greatpower.

My invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings whichdiagrammatically i lustrate its adaptability, and in whichI Figure 1 shows a very simple arrangement of electrical mechanismcontrolled upon motion of the valve. Figs. 2 and 3 show some whatmodified arrangements of electrical apparatus and circuits, and Fig. 4is an enlarged view showing a mechanical arrangement used. v

In the systems which I will describe is shown a direct current shuntmotor M although any kind of motor, either direct or alternatingcurrent, maybe employed. I have shown the valve mechanism to becontrolled. as consisting of the main channel 1 and the gate chamber 2for receiving the gate 3 upon opening of the valve. The valve stem 4 isthreaded and extends upwardly through the threaded bushing 5 supportedon the bridge 6 extending from the valve body. Secured to the bushing 5is the bevel gear 7 adapted to mesh with the bevel gear 8 secured on theshaft 9 extending through the bearing 10 and terminating in the gear 1 1in meshin engagement with the inion 12 secured to t e armature shaft 13w ich supports the armature 14. Above the valve stem in Fig. 1 is showna rod 15 from which extend the actuating arms 16 and 17 from one sideand the actuating arms 18 and 19 from the other side, the rod moving upor down as the valve stem is? raised or lowered upon rotation of themotor armature. The arms 16 and 17 control the actuation of the rheostatR, while the arms 18 and 19 con:

trol the operation of the switch S. The rheostat arm 20 is pivoted at 21and adapted at its. end for en agement with the contact butridged by theresistance sections 23 23. Extending from the other end of the rheostatarm is the extension 24 disposed in the path of the arm 17, and a studor pin 25 extending from the rheostat arm at the opposite side of thepivot 21 is adapted Patented May 12, 1908.

for engagement with the arm 16. The tension spring 26 tends to retainthe arm 20 in its lowermost position against the stop 27.

The switch mechanism S consists of the switch arm 28 and the jaws 29 and30. The switch arm 28 is pivoted at 31 to the pivot frame 32 and theextension 33 from the end of the arm is disposed between the arms 18 and19, and when engaged by the arm 19 the switch arm will be moved intoengagement with the jaw 29 and if engaged by the arm 18 the switch armwill be moved into engagement with the jaw 30. This switch may be of thequick break type and the engaging blade 34 may be pivoted at 35 to thebody 28 of the arm and springs 37 and 38 connected between these partsat either side thereof as shown. The body part of the arm will thereforemove-first and when the force of the corresponding spring is overcomethe blade will be quickly disengaged from one contact jaw and quicklyengaged with the other to decrease sparking.

The electrical connections for the apparatus in Fig. 1 are as follows:the main controlling switch A actuated by the attendant consists of themiddle contact posts 39, 40 and 41, the closing position contact jaws42, 43 and 44 and the opening position jaws 45, 46 and 47 adapted to beengaged by the switch blades 48, 49 and 50. The contact jaws 45, 46 and43 are connected together and with the line limb a of the supply circuitB, and the contact jaws 42, 44 and 47 are connected together and withthe line limb b. Fuses f may be introduced in these connections. Thecontact post 41 connects through the conductor 51 with one end of theseries of resistance sections 23 of the rheostat R and a branchconductor 52 leads to the jaw 29 of the switch mechanism S. The middlecontact post 40 connects through the conductor 53 with the contact jaw30 and from there through the field coil F of the motor M with therheostat arm 20. The middle contact post 39 connects through theconductor 54 with the commutator C of the motor and from there with thepivot post.32 of the switch mechanism S. Starting rheostat D may also.be provided for the motor and inserted in the conductor 54.

The drawing shows the valve closed and the switch A thrown to theopening position and the resistance of the starting box D cut out ofcircuit, as when the motor is running. Current now flows from the linelimb a to the switch jaws 46 and 45. Part of the current flows throughthe switch blade 49, through the conductor 53, through the field windingF, through the rheostat arm 20, through the conductor 51, through middleswitch post 41 and through the switch blade 50 to the engaged contactjaw 47 and then to the line limb b. The remaining current flows from thecontact jaw 45 to the switch blade 48,

thence through starting box D, conductor 54, and the motor armature tothe pivot post 32, through the switch arm 28, conductor 52 to conductor51 and from thence to the line limb b. The armature and field on themotor are thus in parallel and the resistance of the rheostat Rineffective. The motor thus has a very powerful torque and slow speedand will be gradually accelerated and the valve gate gradually startedto open the valve. This strong torque is necessary as the friction ofrest of the valve gate may be very great and the speed during startingof the valve should be slow to allow the water to gradually assume itsproper flow through the opening to prevent water hammer or otherdestructive forces which might result owing to the great inertia of thewater, As the valve stem, however, moves upwardly upon rotation of themotor the rod 15 will be raised and the arm 17 extending therefrom movedto allow the spring 26 to pull the rheostat arm 20 downwardly togradually include the resistance sections 23 in the field circuit. Thespeed of the motor is, there fore, gradually accelerated and when allthe resistance is in circuit the motor will be at full speed and willcontinue so until the valve is almost entirely open. -,At this point thearm 16 will come into engagement with the pin 25, and the arm 20 will bereturned to its normal upper position to gradually remove theresistances 23 from circuit, thus causing the speed of the motor to begradually reduced. Just before the arm 20 has reached its normal upperposition the arm 18 will engage the extension 33 from the switch arm 28,and when the arm 20 has reached its normal position the blade 34 of theswitch will be post 40, switch blade 49, switch jaws 46 and 45, switchblade 48, conductor 54, and back to the armature, and the motor will besto ed, the valve being entirely open.

on it is desired to close the valve the attendant throws the switchblades of the switch A into engagement with the contact jaws 42, 43, and44, having first introduced the resistance of the starting box D intocircuit. The short circuit about the armature is now open and thecurrent flow through the armature will be reversed thus causing re-.versal of the motor. The starting box D is gradually cut from circuitand current will flow through the armature as follows: from the linelimb a to contact jaws 46 and 43, from the latter through switch blade49, conductor 53, switch blade 28, pivot conta'ct32, through thearmature windlng, through the conductor 54, switch blade 48, contactjaws 42 and 44 and to the line limb I). The circuit through the fieldwinding and rheostat arm from the conductor'53,,l 1owever, remains inthe'same direction as before. All

the resistance of therheostat Rbeing initially tons 22 and the speed ofthe motor w1ll be gradually accelerated, and full speed of the motorw1ll be maintained until the arm 17 again comes into contact with theextension 24 from the rheostat arm 20, whereupon the arm 20 will bereturned toward its normal position to gradually remove the resistancesections 23 from circuit and to gradually reduce the speed of the motorat the end of the closing stroke of the valve gate, and the valve gateis slowly and powerfully moved into its final closing position thuspreventing sudden interruption of the water fiow and the consequentdestructive results which might otherwise happen. Upon engagement of thearm 19 with the extension 33 from the switch arm 28 the blade 34 will besnapped into engagement with the contact jaw 29 at the time when therheostat arm 26 has returned to its normal position, and the armaturewill be again short-circuited through the following path: from the armature through the pivot contact 32, switch arm 28, jaw 29, conductor 52,conductor 51, through the switch blade 50, contact jaws 44 and 42,switch blade 48 and through conductor 54 to the armature. Thus the motoris automatically controlled to slowly and powerfully start the valve andto slowly and powerfully move. the valve at the ends of its stroke andthe motor circuits are automatically controlled to stop the motor at theproper instant. The station at which the controlling main switch A islocated may thus be atconsiderable distance from the valve andits-position indicates at all times whether the valve is open or closed.

The starting box D may be automatic in character according to the wellknown ractice in the art, or it may be omitted an the motor constructedso that it may be directly thrown upon the main circuit.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 1 although very simple and eilicient underproper conditions has the disadvantagev that the switch arm 20 has atendency to return to its normal position upon derangementor breakage ofthe actuating parts, and the resistance in this case might be includedin the motor circuit during the entire movement of the valve gate whichwill then have the same high speed. at the ends of the stroke as duringthe intermediate movement and injurious effects follow: In Fig. 2 isshown a modified arrange ment which will overcome this disadvantage,

there being a tendency for the resistance arm to return to its normalposition to disconnect the resistance from circuit. Instead of the arms16 and 17 shown in Fig, 1, I have shown a plate in Fig. 2 havin theextensions 61 and 62 from diagonafiy opposite corners as shown. Therheostat arm 20 is pivoted at 21 and has the extensions 24 and 25. Aspring such as in Fig 1 may be used, or as shown in-Fig. 2 a weight 63is secured to the rheostat arm tending to hold it in position to removeall resistance from the field circuit.

In this positionthe extension 25 engages at the edge of the surface 64at the top of the contact plate 60. Upon starting of the motor by pro erclosure of theswitch A the valve and va ve stem are started upwardly andthe arm 20 is immediately rotatedabout its pivot 21 and such rotationcontinues until the end of the arm engages the last resistance contactbutton 65, and when this position is reached the extension 25 will haveassed over the end of the surface 64 and wil be in engagement with theedge 66 of the plate 60' As the late continues its upward motion therewi be no further movement of the arm 20 until the end 67 of the edge 66is reached, when the extension 25 will be released, the ends 67 beingcurved to form a track for this extension'25. Upon being thus releasedthe arm. 20 immediately returns to its normal position to remove theresistance from circuit to cause slow motion of the motor and of thevalve driven thereby, and the point at which such slow motion begins canbe determined by proper adjustment of the actuating mechanism for therheostat arm. When the arm has returned toits normal position, as justdescribed, the end of the lower edge 68 of the contact plate 60 is inposition over the extension 24, and upon actuation of the main switch Ato its rever= position the motor will start in reverse direction, thearmature switch S having been actuated upon engagement with theextension 18. U on starting of the valve gate to close the va vs the arm20 is again rotated until it reaches the last contact 65, when theextension 24 will travel along the edge 69 until the rounded end 70 isreached, when the arm will be released to its normal position as shown.During the remainder of its operation the motor will run slowly to causeclosure of the valve, and when the extension 19 engages the switch S thearmature will be short-circuited, and t1: 3- motor stop ed. With thisarrangement in Fig. 2 shou d any break occur or any-other derangementthe rheostat arm will be returned to its normal position and the motorwill run at slow speed.

Insome instances it might be im osslble by the use of resistande in, thefiel circuit alone to obtain sufficient variation in the I speed of themotor to permit of a sufficiently near the end of the stroke, and cutout again i when or shortly before the motor stops. It isquite necessarythat this resistance be cut out before it is desired to again operatethe valve, as serious trouble in starting the motor might otherwise beencountered. In many 74 for engagement with the arm 71.

' arm '71 engaging the extension 74'at the cases too it might bedesirable to have the resistance cut out of circuit during the shortinterval while the valve is seating. In Fig. 3 is shown an arrangementin which both the armature and field circuits are controlled uponmovement of the valve. The a paratus for controlling the field circuitmay be the same as that shown in either Figs. 1 or 2, that of Fig. 2,however, being here shown. Thevalve stem is lengthened and is providedwith an additional actuating arm 71. A rheostat arm 7 2 is pivoted at 73and has the extension This rheostat arm is adapted to travel over thecontact buttons 75 bridged by the resistances 76. The conductor 54instead of passing directly to the armature connects with the firstcontact button, and the arm 72 connects with the armature terminal. 7 1is hinged, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4, and normally extended bymeans of the spring 7 7, and therefore upon upward travel of the valvestem as the arm 71 bendsthe rheostat arm will not be actuated but afterthe valve has been open and is subsequently actuated toward the closingposition the arm 71 will-engage the extension 74 to cause all theresistances 76 to be gradually connected in the armature circuit, eitherjust at the end of the closing movement or during an inter val justbefore final seating of the valve. The exact interval during which theresistance is effective is determined by the disposi-' tion'of the arm71 and theextension 74, the

proper time upon downward travelof the valve stem to connect theresistances in circuit and releasing the extension at the proper time toallow the rheostat arm' to be moved to its normal position to remove theresistances from circuit. rheostat arm held in its actuated position andsubsequently released by the arm 71 an electromagnet 78 might be emloyed for holding the arm in position after it hasbeen .moved across theresistances by the arm '71, and release it upon actuation ofthe armatureswitch S to break the circuit in the magnet which would be included inthe conductor 54. With this arrangement, however, theresistances 76would not be removed from circuit The extension Instead of having the-.sswsa until the valve had been seated. Upon upward travel of the valvestem, of course, there would be no actuation of the rheostat arm 72owing to the spring hinged arm 71 which would merely swing down and passb theextension 74. It is evident that this means for controlling thearmature current at the roper time could be used independently o thefield controlling mechanism.

As before stated, the motor may be of any appropriate design either fordirect or for a ternating current, and the controlling re-- sistances orimpedances would be adjusted accordingly, .the main featureof theinvention, however, being the provision of a motor for actuating thevalve in which the speed of the motor and valve gate is automaticallycontrolled so as to prevent danger from Water hammer and otherdestructive efiects which would arise through improper s eed in openingor closing of the valve an great force is provided for starting thevalve gate from its seat. The starting speed and ac celeration otthemotor, of course, would in each case be determined so as to be suitablefor the particular valve to be controlled.

The a plication of my invention shown more or ess diagrammatically inthe drawings shows the principle of the invention, but I do not wish tobe limited to these arrangements shown as manyother arrangements mightbe resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention asbefore stated and other power than electric power may be utilized foroperating the valve.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In valve operating mechanism, the combination with a valve to becontrolled, of driving mechanism associated with the valve,

automatic controlling mechanism for saiddriving mechanism, means uponinitial starting of said driving mechanism for causing the valve to bestarted slowly and with great force per unit of force applied to themechanism, and means 'upon actuation of said valve forcontrolling saidautomatic mechanism to cause the driving mechanism to move the valvefaster.

2. Invalve operating mechanism, the combination-with a valve, to becontrolled,- of driving mechanism connected with the valve stem andadapted upon actuation to cause opening or closure of'the valve,automatic controlling mechanism having connection with the valve stemand disposed upon initial 7 starting of the driving mechanism to causethe driving mechanism and thevalve to start slowly and powerfully, andmeans upon movement of said valve and valve stem for causing actuationof the controlling mechanism to cause acceleration of the drivingmechanism and the valve. I

3.' In valve operating mechanism, the combination with a valve to becontrolled, of

driving mechanism connected with the valve stopping the drivingmechanism after the valve has been sufiiciently actuated.

4. In'a valve controlling system, the combination with the valve to becontrolled, of anielectric motor connected with the valve gate, a supplycircuit forethe motor, rheostat mechanism for the motor havingmechanical connection with said valve gate, said rheostat mechanism uponinitial connection of the motor with the sup ly circuit'being disposedto allow current ow to cause the motor and the valve gate to startslowly and powerfully and with greatest torque per ampere, means uponstarting of the'valve' gate for causing actuation of the rheostatmechanism to change the circuit conditions to cause acceleration of themotor and valve gate, means after a predetermined distance of travel ofthe gate for causing the rheostat to be actuated to again cause themotor to run slowly and powerfully, and with greatest torque per ampereand switch mechanism also having mechanical connection with the valvegate and adapted at the end of the valve gate travel to change thecircuit conditions to stop the motor.

5. In a valve controlling system, the combination with the valve to becontrolled, of an electric motor'connected with the valve gate, a supplycircuit for the motor, rheostat mechanism connected with the motor andhaving mechanical connection with the valve gate, switch mechanism alsoconnected with the motor and having mechanical connection with the valvegate, said rheostat mechanism upon initial connection of the motor withthe supply circuit being disposed to allow current flow to cause themotor and the valve gate to start slowly and powerfully, means afterstarting of the valve gate for moving the rheostat mechanism, to changethe circuit conditions whereby the motor speed is accelerated, meansafter'a predetermined distance of travel of the valve gate for causingthe rheostat mechanism to be returned to its normal position to causethe motor to again run slowly and powerfully, and means when the valvereaches the end of its stroke for causing actuation of said switchingmechanism to change the motor circuit conditions whereby the, motor isstopped.

6. In a valve controlling system, the combmation with the valve to becontrolled, of an electric motor connected with the valve gate, anarmature winding and a field winding for said motor, a supply circuitfor said 'windings, rheostat mechanism connected with the fieldwindin'g, said rheostat mechanism upon initial connection of the motorwith the supply circnit being disposed to allow current fiow through thefield winding to cause the motor and the valve gate to start slowly andpowerfully, means after starting of the valve gate for automaticallycausing actuation of the rheostat mechanism to change the circuitconditions whereby the motor is accelerated,and means after apredetermined distance of ,travel of the valve gate for automaticallycausing actuation of the rheostat mechanism to its normal positionwhereby the motor again runs slowly and powerfully. 1

7. in a valve controlling system, the combination with the valve to becontrolled, of an electric motor connected with the valve gate, anarmature winding and a field winding for said motor, a supply circuitfor said windings, rheostat mechanism connected with thefield winding,said rheostat mechanism upon initial connection of the motor with thesupply circuit being disposed to allow current fiow through the fieldwinding to cause the motor andthe valve gate to start slowly andpowerfully, means after starting of the valve gate for automaticallycausing actuation of the rheostat mechanism to change the circuitconditions whereby the motor is accelerated, means after a predeterminedinterval of increased speed of the motor and valve gate forautomatically returning the rheostat toward its normal position wherebysaid motor is gradually retarded, and electrical means thereafterautomatically actuated to change the motor circuit conditions to stopthe motor.

8. In a valve controlling system, the combination with the valve to becontrolled, of

an electric motor connected with the valve gate, an; armature windingand a field winding for said motor, a supply circuit for said windings,rheostat mechanism connected with the field winding, said rheostatmechanism upon initial connection of the motor with the supply circuitbeing disposed to allow current flow through the field winding to causethe motor and'the valve gate to start slowly and powerfully, means afterstarting of the valve gate for automatically causing actuation of therheostat mechanism to change the circuit conditions whereby the motor isaccelerated, means after a redetermined interval of increased spec ofthe motor and valve gatefor automatically returning the rheostat towardits normal position whereby said motor is gradually retarded, andelectrical means thereafter for automatically short-circuiting thearmature windings to stop the motor.

9. In a valve controlling system, the combination with the valve to becontrolled, of an electric motor connected with thevalve gate, a supplycircuit for the motor, an armature winding and a field winding for themotor, rheostat mechanism connected with the field winding and being inmechanical association with the valve gate, said rheostat mechanism uponinitial connection of the motor with the supply circuit being inposition to adjust the current flow through the field winding to causethe motor and the valve gate to be started slowly and powerfully, meansupon movement of the valve gate for causing the rheostat to be actuatedto gradually adjust the current flow through the field winding to causethe motor to accelerate and to attain maximum speed, means after aninterval of maximum speed motion of the motor and valve gate foractuating the rheostat toward its normal position whereby the motion ofthe .motor and valve stem is retarded, switch mechanism connected withthe armature winding, and means after retardation of the motor forautomatically actuating the switch mechanism to short-circuit thearmature winding whereby the motor is stopped.

10. In a valve controlling system, the combination with the valve to becontrolled, of an electric motor connected with the valve gate, asupplycircuit for the motor, an armature winding and a field winding forsaid motor, rheostat mechanism controlling the current fiow from the suply circuit to said field winding, an electrica switch controlling thearmature circuit and normally disposed to connect the armature with thesupply circuit, said rheostat mechanism being normally dis osed toadjust the current flow through t e field winding to cause the motor,45and the valve gate to be started slowly and powerfully, means afterstarting of the motor and valve gate for automatically causing actuationof the rheostat to change the current flow through the field winding andto cause the motor to accelerate toward maximum speed, means after apredetermined distance of travel of the valve gate under maximum speedfor automatically causing actuation of t e rheostat mechanism to retardthe motor, and means after such retardation for automatically actuatingsaid electrical switch mechanism to short-circuit the armature windingwhereby the motor is stopped.

1 1. In a valve controlling system, the combination with the valve to becontrolled, of a motor connected with the valve, an armature Winding anda field winding for said motor, a supply-circuit, a main switchcontrolling the current flow through said motor and for controlling thedirection of current flow through the armature, rheostat mechanism forthe field winding having mechanical connection with the valve, a secondswitch controlling the armature circuit and having mechanical connectionwith the valve, said main switch. and second switch being normally disosed to connect the armature with the supp y circuit, said rheostatbeing normally disposed to adjust the current flow through the fieldwinding to cause the motor to start the valve slowly and powerfully,means after starting the valve for actuating the rheostat to graduallyincrease the speed of the motor until full speed is reached, means aftera predetermined distance of travel of the valve for actuating therheostat mechanism to adjust the current to retard the motor whereby thevalve is again moved slowly, and means, thereafter for automaticallyactuating the second switch to disrupt the armature connection with themain circuit and to shortcircuit said armature to stop the motor,actuation of the main switch thereafter causing opening of the shortcircuit, reconnection oi the armature with the supply circuit andreversal of current flow through the armature whereby the motor willsubsequently be started in a reverse direction.

12. In valve operating mechanism, the combination with a valve to becontrolled, of an electric motor connected with the valve, an armatureand a field winding for said motor, adouble throwmain switch forconnecting said motor circuit with a supply circuit, and an auxiliaryswitch for the armature circuit, said auxiliary switch in a firstposition causing said armature to be connected with the main switch andduring a second position to disconnect the armature from the main switchand to shortcircuit the armature, one position of the double throw mainswitch during the first position of the auxiliary switch causing thearmature to be connected with the sup ly circuit, the other position ofthe double t row switch during the second position of the auxiliaryswitch causing said short-circuit about the armature to be opened andthe armature connected with the supply circuit but in reverse direction.

13; In a valve operating mechanism, the

combination of a valve an electric motor for opening and closing thevalve, of an armature and a field winding for the motor, a main switchfor connecting the armature and field winding with a supply circuit, anauxiliary switch for the armature circuit adapted in one position toconnect the armature with the main' switch and supply circuit and inanother position to disconnect the armature from the supply circuit andto short-circuit the armature to stop the motor, and mechanical meansassociated with the valve and with said auxiliary switch for causingactuation of said switch to short-circuit the armature when the valvehas been moved a sufficient distance by the motor.

14. In valve operating mechanism, the combination with a valve to beoperated, of an electric motor for driving the valve to be operated, ofan armature and a field winding for the motor, a reversing switch forconnecting the motor windings with a main circuit, and an auxiliaryswitch for the armature circuit normally in position to connect thearmature W ith the supply circuit through the reversing switch, saidauxiliary switch-being mechanically controlled by the movement of thevalve in one direction to disconnect the armature from the supplycircuit and to short-circuit the armature when the valve has moved asuificient distance in said direction whereby the motor is stopped, thecircuit conditions being changed upon actuation of the reversing switchto its other posi tion to open said short circuit and to reconnect thearmature with the supply circuit but in the opposite direction wherebythe motor is caused to drive the valve in an opposite di rection, saidauxiliary valve being again mechanically controlled by the moving valvevi hen the valve is moved a suflicient distance in the oppositedirection to again short circuit the armatureto stop the motor.

15. in a valve controlling system, the com bination with a valve, of anelectric motor for driving said valve, of an armature and a fieldwinding for the motor adapted for connecttion with a main supplycircuit, switching mechanism for controlling the armature -circuit,means upon movement of the valve in either direction for causing theswitching mechanism to be automatically actuated to short-circuit thearmature to stop the motor when the valve has traveled a sufficientdistance in one direction and additional switching mechanism for openingsaid short circuit and for connecting the armature with the main clrcuitin reverse direction.

for opening said short circuit and for causing current flow in reversedirection through said windings whereby the motor is reversed and thevalve operated in reverse direction.

17 In a valve controlling system, the combination with a valve to becontrolled, of a motor for opening and closing the valve, an

armature winding for. the motor adapted for connection with a mainsupply circuit, resistance associated with the armature circuit, andmeans controlled by the movement of the valve to include said resistancein the armature circuit during the end portion of the stroke of thevalve and for automatically removing said resistance from the circuitduring final seating of the valve.

18fln a valve controlling system, the combinationwith a valve to becontrolled, of a motor for opening and closing the valve, an armaturewinding for the motor adapted for connection with a main supply circuit,resistance associated with the armature circuit, means controlled by themovement of the valve to include said resistance in the armature circuitduring the end portion of the stroke of the valve and for automaticallyremoving said resistance from the circuit during final seating of thevalve, and switching mechanism also controlled by the movement of thevalve for short-circuiting the armature to stop the motor when the valveis seated.

19. The combination with a motor driven valve of a hand switch tocontrol the current flowing to the motor, an automatic switch in thearmature circuit, means to actuate the said automatic switch as thevalve approaches the end of its stroke, an automatic rheostat switch inthe field circuit of the motor, and means for introducing the rheostatinto the field circuit after the valve has been moved a predetermineddistance from the beginning of its stroke and again withdrawing therheostat as the valve approaches the end of its stroke.

20. in valve operating mechanism, the combination with a valve, ofdriving mech anism for opening and closing the gate thereof, and meansfor automatically controlling said driving mechanism so that it willmove the gate more slowly and with increased force er unit of force aplied to the mechanism for predetermined istances of travel at the endsof its strokes.

21. in valve operating mechanism, the combination with a valve, ofdriving mechanism ior causing opening or closing of the gate thereof,and means for automatlcally con trolling said driving mechanism so thatit will move the gate more slowly during the combination with a valve,of driving mechan-- ism for opening or closing the gate thereof,

and automatic means whereby the driving mechanism isconstrained toproduce slow movement with greatest force per unit of force applied tothe mechamsm during predetermined periods at the ends of the strokes Iand more rapid movement during the othe opening or closing 0 the gate ofthe valve,

I ism to cause the driving mechanism and the driving mechanismassociated with the valve,

1 ing mechanism and the gate, and u on furto cause retardation and finalstopping of the portions of .the strokes. 23. In 'valve operatingmechanism, the combination with a valve, of driving mechanism foropening and closing the gate thereof, and automatic means whereby thedriving mechanism is constrained to start the gate 1 with slow movementand greatest force per unit of force applied to the mechanism duringpredetermined distances of travel and to move the gate more rapidlyduring predetermined distance of travel thereafter and during theclosing portion of the movement of the gate to move it with greatslowness and correspondingly greater force per unit of force a plied tothe mechanism.

24. n valve operating mechanism, the combination with a valve to becontrolled, of

automatic controlling mechanism for said driving mechanism, means uponinitial starting of said driving mechanlsm for causing the gate to bestarted slowly and with great force and means u on actuation of saidgate for controlling sai automatic mechanism to cause the drivingmechanism to move the gate faster and means upon further actuation ofsaid gate for controlling said automatic mechanism to cause the drivingmechanism to operate the gate more slowly and with great power and stopit atthe end of its stroke.

25. In valve operating mechanism, the combination with a valve to becontrolled, of driving mechanism connected with the valve stem andadapted u on actuation to cause automatic controlling mechanism havinconnection with the valve stem and dispose upon initial starting ofthedriving mechangate to start slowly and with great force, and meansupon movement of said ate and valve stem for causing actuation of ti hecontrolling mechanism to cause acceleration of the drivther movement ofsaid gate and va ve stem" drivin mechanism and the gate.

26; n valve operating mechanism, the combination with a valve to becontrolled, of driving mechanism connected with the valve stem andadapted u on actuation to cause opening or closing 0 the gate of thevalve, automatic controlling mechanism havin connection with the valvestem and dispose upon initial starting of the driving mechanism to causethe drlving mechanism and the gate to start slowly and with great force,means upon movement of sai( gate and valve stem for causing actuation ofthe controlling'mechanism to cause acceleration of the driving mechanismand the gate and means for stopping the driving mechanism after the gateas been sufiiciently actuated.

27. In valve controlling mechanism, the combination with a valve to becontrolled, of a motor associated with the valve to cause the movementof the gate thereof, a source of power connected with said motor,automatic controlling apparatus, said controlling apparatus uponconnection of said motor for oper ation being adapted to cause saidmotor to move the gate more slowly and with greatest force per am erefor predetermined distances of travel at t e ends of the strokes.

28. In valve controlling mechanism the combination with a valve to becontrolled, of a motor associated with the valve to cause movement ofthe gate thereof, a source of power connected with said motor, automaticelectric controlling apparatus, said controlling apparatus uponconnection of said motor for operation being adapted to cause said motorto move the gate slowly during the latter part of the closing movementof the gate and to operate slowly and with greater force per amperedurin the earlier portions of the movement of t e gate.

, 29. In valve controlling mechanism, the combination with a valve to becontrolled, of a motor associated with thavalve to cause movement of thegate thereof, a source of power connected with said motor, automaticcontrolling apparatus, said controlling apparatus upon connection ofsaid motor for operationbeing adapted to cause said motor to cause slowmovement of the gate with greatest force per ampere during predeterminedintervals at the ends of the strokes and more rapid movement during theother portions of the strokes.

'30. In valve controlling mechanism, the combination with a valve to becontrolled, of a motor associated with the valve to' cause movement ofthe gate thereof, a source of power connected with said motor, automaticcontrolling apparatus, said controlling appa ratus u on connection ofsaid motor for operation eing ada ted to cause said motor to start thegate with greatest force per ampere and slow movement for predeterminedintervals of the strokes and to move the gate more rapidly, duringpredetermined distances of stroke thereafter, and during the latter portion of the closing stroke to cause the ate to move with very greatslowness an with high torque er ampere.

31. In va ve controlling mechanism, the

. combination with a valve to be controlled, of

a motor associated with the valve to cause movement of the ate thereof,a source of power connected with said motor, automatic controllingapparatus for said motor, means upon initial starting of said motor forcausing the gate to be started slowly and with great est force perampere and means upon actuation of said gate for controlling saidautomatic mechanism to cause the motorto move the gate faster and thento retard its motion and gradually stop it.

32. The combination with a motor driven valve, of a hand controller toconnect the mo tor to its source of power, an automatic controller inthe power line, means to actuate said automatic controller so that whenthe motor is first connected for o eration the gate of the valve will bestarter slowly and with greatest force per ampere, will then beaccelerated, then moved at maximum speed and then gradually slowed downand stopped. 33. In valve-operating mechanism, the combination with avalve, of driving mechanism for causing opening or closure thereof, andmeans for automatically controllin said driving mechanism to move thevalve s owly at the ends of its strokes and with increasing force perunit of force ap lied to the mech anism for'decreasing spee s.

34. In valve-controlling mechanism, the combination with a valve to becontrolled, of driving mechanism for the valve, and automaticmeans'controlled by the actuation of the valve for causing said drivingmechanism to be moved slowly and with great force er unit of forceapplied to start the valve iiom a state of rest and to thereafteraccelerate the movement of the valve. 7

35. In valve-controlling mechanism, the

combination with a valve to be controlled, of

an electric motor associated with the valve to cause movement thereof, asupply circuit for said motor, electrical controlling apparatus, saidcontrolling apparatus upon connection of said motor in circuit beingadapted to cause said motor to start slowly and with the greatest torqueper ampere, whereby the valve is started slowlyand powerfully from astate of rest, and means adapted upon starting of said valve for causingsaid controlling apparatus to cause acceleration of the motor and of thestarted valve.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 28th day ofSeptember A. D.

WM. B. JACKSON. Witnesses:

DORA ECAsEY, E. G. HOEFER.

